The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh
A Historical Romance
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4.2 • 141 Ratings
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns with a new series that captures the simmering desires and intrigues of early Victorians as only she can. Ryder Cavanaugh’s stepsiblings are determined to make their own marks in London society. Seeking fortune and passion, THE CAVANAUGHS will delight readers with their bold exploits.
An independent nobleman
Lord Randolph Cavanaugh is loyal and devoted—but only to family. To the rest of the world, he’s aloof and untouchable, a respected and driven entrepreneur. But Rand yearns for more in life, and when he travels to Buckinghamshire to review a recent investment, he discovers a passionate woman who will challenge his rigid self-control…
A determined lady
Felicia Throgmorton intends to keep her family afloat. For decades, her father was consumed by his inventions and now, months after his death, with their finances in ruins, her brother insists on continuing their father’s tinkering. Felicia is desperate to hold together what’s left of the estate. Then she discovers she must help persuade their latest investor that her father’s follies are a risk worth taking…
Together—the perfect team
Rand arrives at Throgmorton Hall to discover the invention on which he’s staked his reputation has exploded, the inventor is not who he expected and a fiercely intelligent woman now holds the key to his future success. But unflinching courage in the face of dismaying hurdles is a trait they share, and Rand and Felicia are forced to act together against ruthless foes to protect everything they hold dear.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bestseller Laurens (The Lady's Command) launches a Victorian-era series with an appealing impoverished sister-brother duo, Felicia and William John Throgmorton, whose fortunes depend on the success of their father's steam-powered "horseless carriage" invention. After their father's death, William John took over development of the vehicle, and he's surprised by the unexpected arrival of handsome Lord Randolph Cavanaugh, who explains that he owns two-thirds of the invention. When Lord Randolph recognizes that Felicia has an unerring ability to conceptualize the mechanical process, soon all three are working together to prepare the machine for an exhibition to be graced by the Queen's husband, Prince Albert. However, Sir Horace Winthrop, a Luddite who fears the development of new technologies, bribes his nephew, artist Clive Mayhew, to destroy the Throgmortons' work. Clive hesitates to sabotage another artisan's creation but fears the violent criminal who holds his gambling debts. Lord Randolph's recognition that Felicia is the woman of his dreams further complicates matters. Laurens fans will appreciate cameos from the Cynster family, and any reader will appreciate Felicia's pride in her skills, her bittersweet knowledge that her father never saw or valued her talent, and her growing love for the man who believes in her from the start. This is an unusual and winsome historical romance.
Customer Reviews
Very entertaining…
An interesting story and at times riveting read.